The royal mile - Mengo: investigating the place of urban cultural heritage conservation in urban planning and design.

Abstract

The study investigated cultural heritage conservation in the planning and design of the Royal Mile - Mengo. It also investigated both the past and present cultural resources, assessed the impacts of new developments on cultural heritage and conservation. Further investigation was on the challenges facing cultural heritage conservation in planning commitments and suggested cultural conservation options that could have been considered in the planning and design of the Royal Mile. The research study utilized a case study research design on two areas contrasting the influence of urban transformation at the cost of cultural conservation. The study used simple random sampling for the questionnaire survey and purposive sampling for the face-to-face interview. Data was inferred from observations as well as interviews with key informants/technocrats and secondary sources. Out of 1802 as the resident population at the Royal Mile, 317 sample size was selected using Morgan and Krejcie, (1970). The study discovered that there is recent restoration of Kabaka Anjagala Trees, clan sculptures, and cultural emblems, Ntawetwa drums, Enkulungo and Engabo at the Royal Mile. These features are followed by various values, traditions, language and briefs that define their very existence and help to define the Baganda people. Furthermore, features such as clan identifiers are being placed thus adding value for example, in the Balangira Clan (Royal Clan) traditionally, royals had to hunt every evening thereby giving birth to the name “Kayizi” meaning hunting and in the Nte (Cow) clan. The name “Ssekyanzi” is derived from Ekyanzi meaning container for carrying milk and other clans. As referred to by the fund mobilization of the Katikiro (Prime Minister) For example, the famous “Etafaali” initiated by the current Buganda premier – Charles Peter Mayiga. The research recommends various approaches to be considered in promoting cultural conservation as inclusive planning, integrate all sectors, conservative surgery, teaching of heritage concepts, policy considerations including covering-up the open channels to increase space for pedestrians, create a theme park for the Plot No. 2 after the Mengo Post Office, create a living museum at the Kisingiri Palace, create atleast nine (9) zebra crossings at the Royal Mile at different intervals, create a play area for kids and green leisure park, construct a bigger amphitheatre for culture dramatic acts and drama shows, construct a tourism park for; traditional dancing, hunting, wrestling, drumming and kayaking certificates and rezone the entire Royal Mile as a historical district.